Study shows students should consider negative impacts of 'gap' year

The advice follows a research study report prepared for Deakin University, looking at the plans of 428 year 11 and 12 students from the Warrnambool and Southern Grampians regions - revealing half of those students plan to delay heading to university in favour of a gap year, and that the majority of students worked during their final years of school.

Leaders in the Warrnambool area - including Brauer College Principal Jane Boyle, Emmanuel College Principal Peter Morgan, and Deakin Warrnmabool Campus Director Alistair Mccosh - are keen to turn this trend around by understanding the key factors driving students' decision making.

"Through the research engaged by Deakin we know that the number of students taking a gap-year break in the South West was higher than any other part of the state," Mr McCosh said.

"As a leader in the region, Deakin's committed to ensuring the talent of young people is realised  - and that school leavers have every chance to access further education and reap the lifelong benefits of a tertiary education," he said.

Local school principals say the report will help the region's young people make more informed choices.

"Data gathered from all the local secondary schools is more powerful than evidence collected from one school, and helps to establish genuine local trends which require a shared, local, response," Ms Boyle said.

"Once empowered with this knowledge the community - parents, teachers and leaders can use this as the basis for important discussions to ensure our young people can reach their full potential."

Mr Morgan said that VCE level studies require a genuine commitment from students who wish to achieve results that pave the way for an exciting range of future options.

"This information is key to helping teachers and parents equip our young people with the skills to make informed decisions about part-time work, and the potential ramifications of a sabbatical," he said.

"While a gap-year can be a wonderful experience for many school leavers, there are potential ramifications of taking time off which need to be considered. A break in study can be the trigger for some students not pursuing tertiary study or training," Mr Morgan said.

"It's vital that parents and teachers speak to students about the pros and cons of a year off, so that our region's students have every chance at pursuing the exciting pathways available to them."

According to the Deakin University Deferral and Part Time Work Final Research Report, prepared for Deakin by Beyond the Bell, the top four reasons for taking a gap-year are:

- Financial reasons, including needing to qualify for Austudy.

- Wanting to travel.

- Wanting to take a break from study.

- Not knowing what to study after school.

Key factors in students working during their VCE years include:

- Financial gain.

- To save money.

- To support living expenses.